Sorry if this has been asked before, but most of the topics I've found are out of date.

I recently picked up Kirby's Epic Yarn and turned on my Wii for the first time since Monster Hunter Tri came out. I got a message about upgrading to firmware 4.3, so I jumped online and did a bit of research. I found a bunch of update methods, but can't figure out which is "right". I also read that one of the older methods (boot2 I think) actually caused systems to brick. I was going to use HackMii, but the instructions seem out of date and are unclear. Due to being out of the homebrew scene for awhile (and paranoid), I decided to come here and ask for some help before doing anything. So, what is the "proper" method to get 4.3 installed on my Wii while retaining Homebrew support?

I can get Epic Yarn to play by launching it in Gecko OS, so that's not the problem. I just want to be able to access the Shop channel and not worry about someone (my brother for example) installing an update and locking me out of HBC, or worse, bricking the system.

Wiibrew "recommends" that method because it's the least pirate friendly... Wiibrew owners want you to have a harder time pirating games.

You don't ever have to upgrade your system menu, a good bet is simply running the game through neogamma or use priiloader to disable the update check. You may need to install IOS related to the game, but you're better off doing that with MMM.

I did some more research and WiiBrew recommends you install HackMii and then upgrade to 4.3U. Does this actually work? If so, which version of BootMii should i install: boot2, IOS, or both?
There is nothing wrong with doing it this way. If you can, install BootMii as both boot2 and IOS. Also, make sure you have IOS236 installed before you update to 4.3 so you can easily reinstall things like cIOS249.

Edit: Also, if you are afraid of your brother accidentally updating and/or bricking your console, Priiloader with hacks might be worth installing.
Double edit: It is also worth noting that the reason for using the HackMii installer before updating to 4.3 is because the latest version of the Homebrew Channel (1.0.8) is immune to the 4.3 update. BootMii is just recommended.

You don't ever have to upgrade your system menu, a good bet is simply running the game through neogamma or use priiloader to disable the update check. You may need to install IOS related to the game, but you're better off doing that with MMM.

I did some more research and WiiBrew recommends you install HackMii and then upgrade to 4.3U. Does this actually work? If so, which version of BootMii should i install: boot2, IOS, or both?
There is nothing wrong with doing it this way. If you can, install BootMii as both boot2 and IOS. Also, make sure you have IOS236 installed before you update to 4.3 so you can easily reinstall things like cIOS249.

This is what I was mostly confused about. I have a first-run Wii, so I can install both. I don't plan on bricking my Wii anytime soon, but its better to be safe then sorry. I'll have HBC installed, so I guess I can use any IOS installer or BootMii to install cIOS249.

Quoted from Lacius:

Edit: Also, if you are afraid of your brother accidentally updating and/or bricking your console, Priiloader with hacks might be worth installing.
I'll probably also install Priiloader so I don't have to worry about forced updates. Which hacks should I install?

You don't ever have to upgrade your system menu, a good bet is simply running the game through neogamma or use priiloader to disable the update check. You may need to install IOS related to the game, but you're better off doing that with MMM.

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This is true, but he wants to be able to use the Shop Channel.

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Yes I do want the Shop Channel and the other official channels. That's the only reason I am bothering to upgrade from 3.2 (I'd only have to worry about installing updated IOSs using GeckoOS).

One other question: HackMii has an option to "prepare the SD card". I read here that you need select this option to be able to install BootMii. Will this wipe my SD card? I have it setup with homebrew ATM and don't want to loss anything.

This is what I was mostly confused about. I have a first-run Wii, so I can install both. I don't plan on bricking my Wii anytime soon, but its better to be safe then sorry. I'll have HBC installed, so I guess I can use any IOS installer or BootMii to install cIOS249.
Install BootMii as both IOS and boot2, install the latest Homebrew Channel (1.0.8), and install IOS236 with Trucha Bug Restorer or IOS236 Installer. After doing these things, you can update to 4.3. After updating, you will want to reinstall IOS249 (rev20, base 56) if you use it, IOS 202, 222, 223, and 224 if you use them, and you will want to trucha patch IOS80 if you install WiiWare games and whatnot. I also recommend patching IOS36 even though you have IOS236.

One other question: HackMii has an option to "prepare the SD card". I read here that you need select this option to be able to install BootMii. Will this wipe my SD card? I have it setup with homebrew ATM and don't want to loss anything.

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HackMii automatically prepares your SD card when you install BootMii and IOS and boot2. This will not wipe your SD card. After making a NAND backup, you might want to delete the bootmii folder from your SD card.

This is what I was mostly confused about. I have a first-run Wii, so I can install both. I don't plan on bricking my Wii anytime soon, but its better to be safe then sorry. I'll have HBC installed, so I guess I can use any IOS installer or BootMii to install cIOS249.

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Install BootMii as both IOS and boot2, install the latest Homebrew Channel (1.0.8), and install IOS236 with Trucha Bug Restorer or IOS236 Installer. After doing these things, you can update to 4.3. After updating, you will want to reinstall IOS249 (rev20, base 56) if you use it, IOS 202, 222, 223, and 224 if you use them, and you will want to trucha patch IOS80 if you install WiiWare games and whatnot. I also recommend patching IOS36 even though you have IOS236.

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No offense, but how the heck am I supposed to know if I need those IOSs? Do I just have to try and figure out what Homebrew apps uses those IOS or is there a list somewhere?

No offense, but how the heck am I supposed to know if I need those IOSs? Do I just have to try and figure out what Homebrew apps uses those IOS or is there a list somewhere?

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IOS249 is used for running backups. If you plan on running backups via a disc loader (NeoGamma) or a USB loader (Configurable USB Loader), then you will want IOS249 installed. The installer for IOS249 can be downloaded here and should be installed using IOS56 as a base.

IOS202 gives MPlayer CE USB 2.0 support if you play videos off a USB hard drive, and IOS222-224 are all alternatives to IOS249 for backup-loading. Hermes cIOS installer can be found here. IOS202 should use IOS60 as a base, IOS222 should use IOS38 as a base, IOS223 should use IOS37 as a base, and IOS224 should use IOS57 as a base.

..... Sadly more confused. You mention using another IOS as a "base", so I take it I have to create these IOSes myself. Also, can't seem to find "current" versions of some of the IOSes you mentioned. I'm gona have to do some research on this. Don't remember it being this hard originally. >.< Wish there was a resource with all this stuff (patching apps, installers, instructions) in one place.

..... Sadly more confused. You mention using another IOS as a "base", so I take it I have to create these IOSes myself. Also, can't seem to find "current" versions of some of the IOSes you mentioned. I'm gona have to do some research on this. Don't remember it being this hard originally. >.< Wish there was a resource with all this stuff (patching apps, installers, instructions) in one place.

Thank again for your help Lacius.

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Each of the installers I linked to have the option to download these IOSes automatically over the internet.

Oh ok. Sorry Lacius. >.< when you mentioned base I got slightly worried I'd have to do some modifying on my PC (maybe using ModMii) and didnt see any info at the links. I dont see clear instructions, I panic.

Still wish there was a resource somewhere that explained it fully. Then stupid people like me don't have to harass helpful people like you.